High Calcium

[eelman07]

My current calcium levels in my 3 week old cycled reef tank are currently around 500 via Salifert.
My alkalinity is 10.2 dkh
Any suggestions on how to lower this? The rock into the tank is diy aragocrete that I made using oyster shells, aragonite, and Portland cement. Could this have raised my calcium?

 

[gbroadbridge]

My current calcium levels in my 3 week old cycled reef tank are currently around 500 via Salifert.
My alkalinity is 10.2 dkh
Any suggestions on how to lower this? The rock into the tank is diy aragocrete that I made using oyster shells, aragonite, and Portland cement. Could this have raised my calcium?

500ppm Calcium is not excessively high and nothing to be concerned about

How did you measure it? Have you checked the test kit accuracy against freshly mixed salt water?

In any event, normal water changes will reduce it if the exising level has been caused by dosing calcium.

 

[eelman07]

500ppm Calcium is not excessively high and nothing to be concerned about

How did you measure it? Have you checked the test kit accuracy against freshly mixed salt water?

In any event, normal water changes will reduce it if the exising level has been caused by dosing calcium.

I have not dosed anything and used instant ocean mix for the saltwater, what would have caused it to get this high?

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have not dosed anything and used instant ocean mix for the saltwater, what would have caused it to get this high?

Most likely test error.

 

[eelman07]

Most likely test error.

I tested it twice and got 500 both times

 

[Peair]

My current calcium levels in my 3 week old cycled reef tank are currently around 500 via Salifert.
My alkalinity is 10.2 dkh
Any suggestions on how to lower this? The rock into the tank is diy aragocrete that I made using oyster shells, aragonite, and Portland cement. Could this have raised my calcium?

500 is not too bad, and some corals might like it, just take it slowly and do water changes and temporally stop calcium dosing and test.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I tested it twice and got 500 both times

As I suggested, do a test of freshly mixed salt water and see how that compares to the tank water.

 

[eelman07]

Had some spare api test kits laying around and tested with those and got 460 ppm

 

[gbroadbridge]

Had some spare api test kits laying around and tested with those and got 460 ppm

Yes, you see most Ca test kits are about 10% accuracy.

So 460 could be anywhere from 420 - 500ppm - and anywhere around there is fine.

If you know the first test kit reads high just write the adjustment on the box :)
"Subract 40 from this test kit result".

No need to chase numbers ...

 

[eelman07]

Yes, you see most Ca test kits are about 10% accuracy.

So 460 could be anywhere from 420 - 500ppm - and anywhere around there is fine.

If you know the first test kit reads high just write the adjustment on the box :)
"Subract 40 from this test kit result".

No need to chase numbers ...

Thanks for the help

 

[dadnjesse]

I would double check the Salinity. If it's high everything is going to be high.

 

[eelman07]

salintiy 1.025

 

[nereefpat]

I tested it twice and got 500 both times

What test kit?

I would double check the Salinity. If it's high everything is going to be high.

I agree that's something to check. Regular IO usually mixes up well under 500 ppm Ca.

salintiy 1.025

How are you measuring that? With a refractometer recently calibrated with a saltwater standard?

 

[eelman07]

The test kit was salifert
I have calibrated my refractometer early this moth and also have a digital one that reads the same thing

 

[nereefpat]

The test kit was salifert
I have calibrated my refractometer early this moth and also have a digital one that reads the same thing

How are you calibrating it?

 

[eelman07]

Bought a online solution to calibrate it. Should i get an Icp test to see what everything is actually reading? How long does it take to get the results back after sending one in?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Bought a online solution to calibrate it. Should i get an Icp test to see what everything is actually reading? How long does it take to get the results back after sending one in?

When I submit an ICP, I measure Ca, kH, and Mg at the same time using my test kits.

I can then compare the accuracy of Ca/Mg against the ICP, and then label the appropriate adjustment on the test kits box. Some tests tend to drift once opened.

For salinity I use a home made calibration solution.

 

[eelman07]

When I submit an ICP, I measure Ca, kH, and Mg at the same time using my test kits.

I can then compare the accuracy of Ca/Mg against the ICP, and then label the appropriate adjustment on the test kits box. Some tests tend to drift once opened.

For salinity I use a home made calibration solution.

Have an icp test and will do that

 

[Reefering1]

Randy's diy calibration solution

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php